Thompson and Hanneman Named AVCA All-Americans

Nov 17, 2011

LEXINGTON, Kentucky – Just days after being announced All-Region selections, junior middle Shannon Thompson (Moorpark, Calif.) and senior setter Cassy Hanneman (Denver, Co.) have been named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Americans, with Thompson earning a Third Team selection, and Hanneman an Honorable Mention selection.

The announcement marks the second time in program history that UMass Boston has had two players earn All-America honors. The last time was in 2009, when Thompson, who was a freshman, was received Honorable Mention honors and Kate McWorther '09 earned third team honors.

Now a junior, Thompson has found her name on the AVCA All-America list every single season she has been with the Beacons. As a sophomore she earned the program's first and only First Team All-America selection, after leading the Beacons to a NCAA East Region crown and a berth in the NCAA Division III National Championship tournament. In 2011, Thompson proved to be one of the top hitters in Division III volleyball. Ranked in the top-15 in the country in kills per set and points per set, the 6'2" middle garnered numerous accolades throughout the season including Little East Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Conference Tournament MVP, NCAA East Region All-Tournament team, and AVCA Division III National Player of the Week.

In the 33 matches played this season by the Beacons, Thompson averaged 4.24 kills per set and 5.17 points per set. She totaled 462 kills on 998 attempts to earn a .310 hitting percentage. She also tallied 37 aces, 265 digs, and 102 blocks (26 solo, 76 assists) in the Beacons run towards their second regional crown.

Hanneman by far had her best season ever with the Beacons in 2011. A four-time Little East All-Conference selection, the Denver, Colorado native earned First-Team All-Conference and All-Region honors. The first and only player to record three 1,000+ assists seasons, Hanneman fueled the Beacons 22-match win streak in the middle of the season, as well as leading them to wins over nationally ranked SUNY Cortland, Tufts University, and Bowdoin College, twice.

As a senior, Hanneman leaves UMass Boston as the greatest setter to ever compete at the university totaling an incredible 4,152 career assists. Hanneman also ended her career at UMass Boston appearing in more matches than any other player in history, with 137. This season she totaled 1,201 assists (10.9 aps), which ranked in her the top-15 in Division III volleyball. She also combined for 34 aces and 257 total digs.